Protective device for open areas



July 24, 1956 w. M. MINOT, JR 2,755,525

PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR OPEN AREAS Filed April 30, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l IWVEIyTOR.

July 24, 1956 w. M. MINOT, JR 2,755,525

PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR OPEN AREAS Filed April 30, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

[Km/ f PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR OPEN AREAS Wayland M. Minot, Jr., Cambridge, Mass, assignor to h'iinot-Brown, inc, Cambridge, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application April 30, 1953, Serial No. 352,076

4 Claims. (Cl. -71) This invention relates to protective devices for windows and the like and more particularly to apparatus which may readily be installed and removed from the usual framing yet which can not ordinarily be removed by children or unauthorized persons and which in position constitutes an effective barrier to the passage of people, both large and small.

Window guards heretofore known have all, so far as I am aware, had the common defect of requiring permanent attachment either of the guard itself or of fixtures or supports therefor or of requiring holes to be punched in the framing. Furthermore, such old devices have been expensive and difficult to install and remove and when removed left unsightly holes or other defacing marks.

I have invented a novel apparatus which is relatively inexpensive to build, can easily be attached to almost any window or door frame, can as easily be removed by an adult from the inside of the frame but only with difiiculty from the outside and which requires no permanent fixtures or alteration of the structure on which it is installed. Thus, the apparatus of my invention has especial utility as a guard, for which there has long been an unfulfilled need, against the defenestration of small children and also as a deterrent to the influx of intruders. It also may be used as a barrier for doorways, or as a protective partial closure for floor and boat deck hatches, etc.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide apparatus for protecting open areas.

It is a further object to provide an adjustable guard for open areas which can quickly and easily be attached to the frames thereof and as quickly and easily be removed therefrom which requires no alteration of existing structure.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel unitary guard for a window and the like primarily to prevent children from falling thereout and to inhibit intruders from passing therethrough.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a guard which is relatively inexpensive, which requires no special skill to attach, which is highly effective for its purposes and which will not mar the woodwork on which installed.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a guard having novel attaching means which is considerably less expensive than prior art devices to construct.

The novel apparatus of my invention fundamentally comprises a connecting member threaded at each end, the threads at one end having a pitch opposite to that of the threads at the other end, a pair of clamping members having hooked ends and threads adapted to engage the threads of the connecting member, means to rotate the connecting member and a tubular member encasing the connecting member for at least the greater portion of its length, the connecting member and tubular member being freely movable with respect to one another. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus of this invention tent includes two or more such units interconnected by suitable means as will hereinafter appear. Also included within the scope of this invention is a window frame in combination with a device as described above.

The apparatus of my invention will better be understood and appreciated from the following description thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which Fig. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the apparatus of my invention in place on a window frame.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view partly in cross section of a portion of a single unit contained in the assembly of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is a side view of one suitable type of hook member.

Referring first to Fig. 3, the single unit of my invention comprises a pair of clamping or hook members 10 (one only being shown in this view) each having a shank 11 and a threaded section 12 integral therewith and being connected together by a member or rod 14 having oppositely pitched threads at each end adapted to engage the threads of section 12. At approximately the center thereof retaining member or ring 16 is attached to rod 14 and a hole 18 is drilled therethrough in which a small rod or pin 20 may be inserted to rotate the rod 14.

Rod 14 and the inner portion of the shank 11 of each hook member 10 are enclosed by a tubular member 22 which is sufficiently larger than said rod and shank to permit rotation of tube 22 independently of both shank 11 and rod 14. To maintain rod 14 longitudinally positioned in tube 22 annular stops 24 and 26 are secured to the inner wall of the tube, one on each side of retaining ring 16. A complementary hole 27 is provided in the wall of tube 22 to allow insertion of pin 20.

While the unit so far described may be used by itself, in which case the retaining ring 18 and stops 24 and 26 may be omitted if desired, 1 have found that an improved apparatus results when the unit is incorporated into the compound unit shown in Fig. 1. Two units, generally designated by numerals 3t) and 32, are linked together by spacing connectors 34 and 36, being mounted therein as hereinafter described. Bars 38 and 40 may be provided to reduce the open area between units 30 and 32 and to impart rigidity to the structure, it being understood that a single bar or more than two bars may be used. Such bars 33 and 40 may be metal rods or tubes, wooden dowels, etc. Also decorative material may be added as appropriate.

Referring again to Fig. 3, unit 30 is mounted in spacing connectors 34 and 36 as follows. The shanks 11 of hook members 10 are inserted in holes drilled to size in connectors 34 and 36. The connectors are then drawn together to provide a snug fit against washers 42 bearing on the ends of tube 22. With a second gripping unit 32 in position and one or more bars 38 and 40 secured thereto a firm frame or grill work is provided.

In order to prevent hook members 10 from being backed off too far slots 44 are provided in their shanks 11 for a portion of their lengths and pins passing through the body of connectors 34 and 36 and through the slots 44 are provided as stops.

It will be noted that by the arrangement thus shown and described the adjustment mechanism of the apparatus of this invention is concealed and centered and means are provided to prevent disengagement of the hooks therefrom. Further it will be appreciated that by this novel arrangement of parts the apparatus of this invention can be made to accommodate a considerable variation in window, etc., width.

The apparatus of this invention is installed as follows: A pin 20, which may simply be a nail of appropriate size, is inserted in hole 27 of tube 22. By lining up this hole with hole 18 through retaining ring 16 and rod 14 the pin may be passed through the rod. Pin 20 is then rotated causing the rod 14 to turn thus extending or retracting, as the case may be, hook members 10. The hooks are extended to a distance slightly greater than that of the frame to which they are to be attached and the unit is then pressed against the frame with the hooks engaging the outer edges thereof and the rod 22 is turned to retract the hooks 10. When securely in position the pin 10 is withdrawn and the tubular cover 22 is free to rotate independently of the rod 14, thus preventing all but the most precocious children and expert burglars from disengaging the unit from the frame.

When it is desired to use one or more units 30 as individual units there will, of course, be some freedom of longitudinal motion of tube 22. However, this motion is not objectionable and hence such use of the unit 30 is within the contemplation of this invention.

Also contemplated by this invention is a grill having a single gripping unit in the center thereof flanked on both sides by fixed or free sliding telescoping bars.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A guard for windows, doors and the like comprising in combination at least two oppositely opposed gripping members consisting of a pair of hook members having threads at the extremities thereof movably joined together by a rotatable connecting member having threads at each end complementary with and engaged with the threads of said hook members, the threads of said connecting member having opposite pitch'at opposite ends thereof whereby rotation of said member will cause said hook members to travel in opposite directions, and a tubular member encasing said connecting member out of engagement therewith; a pair of spacing connectors engaging the shanks of said hook members in sliding relation, means associated with said hook members and spac ing connectors to limit the extent of travel of the hook members, at least one substantially rigid member affixed to both spacing connectors, and means by which to engage said tubular member with said connecting member 4 thereby to rotate said first mentioned connecting member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in combination with the framing of a window and the like.

3. Apparatus as described comprising a grill composed of interconnected spaced bars, at least one of said bars being adapted to grip the outside of framing for windows and the like, said bar consisting of book members at each end having a threaded shank section, a connecting member having threads of opposite pitch at its opposite ends, each set of threads being complementary with and engaged with the threads of a corresponding shank, a freely rotatable tubular member surrounding said connecting member, means to limit longitudinal motion of the con necting member with respect to the tubular member, means to limit the distance of travel of said hook members, and means by which to engage said tubular member with said connecting member thereby to rotate said connecting member.

4. An adjustable grill for temporary attachment to the framing of openings in walls and the like comprising in combination a plurality of telescoping rods spaced apart and secured together in parallel relation, hooked gripping members attached to the ends of at least one of said telescoping rods each having a threaded section engaged with complementary threads of a rotatable connecting member, the threads of the latter having opposite pitch at the opposite ends thereof whereby rotation of said member Will cause said gripping members to travel in opposite directions, and a tubular member encasing said connecting member out of normal engagement but connectable therewith by means of an insertable pin thereby to rotate said connecting member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,120,098 Smith Dec. 8, 1914 1,662,117 Kuhl Mar. 13, 1928 1,891,588 Claus Dec. 20, 1932 2,459,884 Kopf Jan. 25, 1949 

